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Castro's three-run dinger 0:33

6/20/14: Starlin Castro drills a three-run dinger over the left-field wall and increases the Cubs' lead to 5-0

By Carrie Muskat
/
MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- Starlin Castro entered Wednesday ranked second in batting average and hits among all National League shortstops, trailing the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki. The Cubs shortstop has thrived in the No. 4 spot in the lineup and shown power, topping last year's home run total.

"He's a young man who has the ability to put the bat on the ball," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Castro. "The more I see him, he's getting bigger, he's filling out. He's turning into -- I don't want to say a man, because he's a man already -- but you can start to see the size and maturity of his body come together.

"Is it possible he'll hit a lot of home runs over the course of his career? It's possible. A lot of it goes back to him maintaining a consistent approach at the plate."

Castro could be the Cubs' representative at the July 15 All-Star Game, and it would be his third trip if he's picked. The Cubs' other option is Anthony Rizzo, who leads NL first basemen in home runs (17) and on-base percentage (.404).

"From a statistical standpoint, they stand as tall as any of the other guys who will be potentially participating in the All-Star Game," Renteria said.